meet our team
Elite Athletic Experience. Professional Educational Expertise.
LAST STOP ATHLETICS combines credentialed educators, NCAA Division I athletes, college/master's-degree professionals, coaches, mentors and student-Athelete development professionals
• Academic Support • Athletic Development • High School Preparation • Leadership
Founder & OwnerEllie Garcia
academic support & Coach
Ellie’s mission is to empower athletes through elite training, confidence-building, and leadership development. She believes success comes from discipline, resilience, and creating a positive environment where athletes can thrive both competitively and personally.
Ellie Garcia brings elite-level softball experience, academic excellence, and a passion for mentorship to every athlete she coaches. As a former Division I pitcher and lifelong competitor, Ellie created Last Stop Athletics to help athletes grow both on and off the field.
Athletic Accomplishments
473 Career Division I Innings Pitched
322 Career Division I Strikeouts
4-Year Collegiate Starter
2025 WCC Second Team Selection
Professional Softball Player (2025) Cangrejeras de Puerto Rico
Academic Achievements
2025 WCC All-Academic Team
2025 CSC Academic All-District
NFCA Scholar Athlete All-American
Graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English with Honors (Magna Cum Laude)
Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching and English Teaching Credential
Early Success & Leadership
4x First Team All-League Selection (Softball & Volleyball)
Named Best Dual-Athlete in the Inland Empire
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ELLIE GARCIA
President • Head Pitching Coach • Softball Athlete Development
NCAA Division I Student-Athlete • Credentialed Educator • Academic Support • Mentor
Ellie Garcia combines elite collegiate athletic experience, advanced education, academic achievement, and softball-development expertise.
A former NCAA Division I pitcher and four-year collegiate starter, Ellie competed at the highest level of college softball while managing the academic, physical, and personal demands required of a Division I student-athlete.
During her collegiate career, Ellie accumulated more than 473 innings pitched and 322 strikeouts, giving her extensive firsthand experience in pitching mechanics, preparation, competition, recovery, mental performance, and long-term athlete development.
Ellie graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, earning Magna Cum Laude honors. She continued her education at the graduate level, earning a Master’s Degree in Education and becoming a credentialed educator.
Her combination of academic and athletic experience allows her to support students both in the classroom and in competition.
Education & Academic Background
* Oregon State University graduate
* Bachelor’s Degree in English
* Magna Cum Laude graduate
* Master’s Degree in Education
* Credentialed educator
* Academic All-District recognition
* Scholar-Athlete recognition
* Conference academic recognition
* Core academic support
* Student mentoring
* Academic development
Athletic Background
* NCAA Division I softball student-athlete
* Four-year collegiate starter
* 473+ collegiate innings pitched
* 322+ collegiate strikeouts
* Second-Team All-Conference recognition
* Extensive competitive softball experience
* Advanced pitching instruction experience
* Youth, middle-school, and high-school athlete mentorship
## Softball Athlete Development
As Last Stop Athletics' Head Pitching Coach, Ellie works with developing and advanced pitchers through individualized instruction based on each athlete's experience, learning style, physical development, and goals.
Instruction may include:
* Pitching mechanics
* Velocity and power
* Pitch movement and spin
* Accuracy and consistency
* Balance and coordination
* Arm care
* Game preparation
* Situational pitching
* Mental toughness
* Competitive confidence
* Goal setting
* Accountability
* Athlete communication
* Long-term pitcher development
Ellie's coaching philosophy emphasizes positive instruction without lowering expectations. Athletes are challenged to compete, learn from mistakes, build confidence, and understand that long-term improvement comes through consistent and intentional work.
Areas of Focus
Core Academic Support • Softball Pitching • Mechanics • Velocity & Power • Movement Patterns • Balance • Coordination • Arm Care • Athlete Confidence • Goal Setting • Performance Development • Student-Athlete Mentoringt
Founder & OwnerJacob Gardner
Academic support & Coach
Jacob Gardner is a record-setting offensive lineman from Colorado State University known for his toughness, leadership, and consistency on and off the field. A 5× All-Mountain West selection and 3× team captain, Gardner set the conference record with 58 consecutive starts while establishing himself as one of the premier centers in college football. In 2024, he was graded as the #1 center in the nation and earned AP All-American honors, along with recognition on both the Rimington Trophy and Outland Trophy watchlists. He was also named Outland Trophy Player of the Week and recognized as a Jason Witten Man of the Year Semifinalist for his character, leadership, and impact beyond the game.
Athletic Honors & Leadership
5× All-Mountain West Selection (Conference Record)
58 Consecutive Starts (Conference Record)
AP All-American
3× Team Captain
Graded the #1 Center in the Nation (2024)
Rimington Trophy Watchlist
Outland Trophy Watchlist
Outland Trophy Player of the Week
Jason Witten Man of the Year Semifinalist
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JACOB GARDNER
Strength & Conditioning Coach • Offensive Line & Tight Ends Coach
NCAA Division I All-American • 3× Team Captain • Academic Support • Student-Athlete Mentor
Jacob Gardner brings recent elite NCAA Division I football experience, college-level academic achievement, leadership, strength and conditioning experience, and student mentorship directly into the Last Stop Athletics environment.
A Southern California native and former standout at Los Osos High School, Jacob competed for five seasons at the NCAA Division I level at Nevada and Colorado State University.
Jacob is also a college graduate with degrees in Communications and History, strengthening his ability to contribute not only in athletic development but also in the classroom.
At Last Stop Athletics, Jacob serves as our Strength & Conditioning Coach and Offensive Line & Tight Ends Coach while also assisting students with core academic support and enrichment classes.
His collegiate career was defined by consistency, durability, leadership, preparation, communication, and accountability.
Jacob finished his college career with an extraordinary 58 consecutive starts across five seasons.
During his career, he earned All-Mountain West recognition five times and served as a three-time team captain at Colorado State.
His final collegiate season established him among the nation's premier offensive linemen.
Education & Professional Background
* College graduate
* Degree in Communications
* Degree in History
* Core subject academic support
* Classroom and enrichment support
* Student-athlete mentoring
* Leadership development
* Communication and team-building experience
* High-school preparation
* Goal setting and accountability
Collegiate Football Accomplishments
* NCAA Division I offensive lineman
* Colorado State University
* University of Nevada
* 58 consecutive collegiate starts
* 5× All-Mountain West selection
* 3× Colorado State Team Captain
* 2024 First-Team All-Mountain West
* 2024 First-Team All-American — Action Network
* 2024 First-Team All-American — Hero Sports
* 2024 Third-Team AP All-American
* Outland Trophy Watch List recognition
* Rimington Trophy recognition
* Outland Trophy National Player of the Week
* Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year semifinalist
* Experience playing both tackle and center
* Helped anchor one of the nation's strongest pass-protection units
Jacob brings firsthand knowledge of the academic responsibilities, strength programs, practice expectations, film preparation, technique, recovery, accountability, leadership, and competitive mindset required of an NCAA Division I student-athlete.
Academic Support & Enrichment
Jacob assists students with:
* Core subject academic support
* Homework assistance
* Reading and written-response support
* History and social studies support
* Organization and task completion
* Small-group classroom activities
* Enrichment classes
* Leadership activities
* Goal setting
* Study habits
* Time management
* Student-athlete accountability
* High-school preparation
His academic background in Communications and History, combined with his experience as a Division I student-athlete and team captain, provides students with a strong model for balancing academics, athletics, leadership, preparation, and personal responsibility.
Strength & ConditioningAs Last Stop Athletics' Strength & Conditioning Coach, Jacob provides age-appropriate athletic development designed to establish proper movement fundamentals before athletes progress to higher levels of performance.
Training may include:
* Safe resistance-training fundamentals
* Proper lifting technique
* Strength development
* Speed and acceleration
* Explosiveness
* Agility
* Change of direction
* Acceleration and deceleration
* Mobility
* Balance and coordination
* Core strength and stability
* Athletic movement
* Body control
* Multi-sport cross-training
* Competitive conditioning
* Personal fitness development
* Confidence and accountability
The goal is not simply to lift more weight.
Athletes learn how to move correctly, train safely, progress appropriately, and establish habits that support long-term athletic development.
Offensive Line & Tight End DevelopmentJacob leads the development of offensive linemen and tight ends.
Instruction may include:
* Offensive line stance and starts
* Center, guard, and tackle development
* Tight end blocking fundamentals
* Run blocking
* Pass protection
* Footwork
* Hand placement
* Strike mechanics
* Leverage
* Body positioning
* Base and balance
* Combination blocks
* Double teams
* Zone concepts
* Pulling and movement skills
* Defensive front identification
* Blitz and pressure recognition
* Blocking assignments
* Football terminology
* Film study
* Offensive football IQ
* Leadership and communication
Jacob teaches athletes not only what their assignment is, but also why the play works, what the defense is trying to accomplish, and how their individual responsibility contributes to the entire offensive concept.
Areas of Focus
Core Academic Support • Enrichment Classes • Strength & Conditioning • Offensive Line • Tight Ends • Run Blocking • Pass Protection • Explosive Strength • Speed & Agility • Football IQ • Leadership • Communication • High School Preparation • Student-Athlete Mentoring
Director of OperationsDirector of Student-Athlete Development
Luis Garcia
Mr. Garcia is an educator, coach, and student-athlete mentor with over 25 years of experience helping young people succeed academically, athletically, and personally. A former Division I football player at Eastern Michigan University and Chaffey College Hall of Fame inductee, he combines his background in education and athletics to develop discipline, accountability, confidence, work ethic, leadership, and resilience in student-athletes. Mr. Garcia has served in a variety of educational roles, including teacher and education specialist, while also spending more than 20 years coaching varsity football and track, including leadership positions at Don Lugo High School and Montclair High School. His mission is to help students become stronger athletes, stronger students, and stronger individuals.
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LUIS GARCIA
Director of Student-Athlete Development
Credentialed Educator • Academic Support • Defensive Line & Linebackers Coach • Mentor
Luis Garcia brings more than 26 years of professional education experience together with an extensive background in collegiate athletics, academic intervention, high-school coaching, leadership, and student-athlete development.
A California credentialed educator, former NCAA Division I football student-athlete, longtime football and track coach, and Chaffey College Hall of Fame inductee, Luis has spent his professional career helping young people develop academically, athletically, and personally.
His educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Cross-Cultural Teaching, a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Spanish, and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Luis also brings more than seven years of TK–12 experience as an Education Specialist within the charter-school environment, providing him with firsthand knowledge of personalized learning, academic intervention, homeschool support, student accountability, family communication, and charter-school educational services.
Education & Professional Background
* California Single Subject Teaching Credential — Spanish
* California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
* Master’s Degree in Cross-Cultural Teaching
* 26+ years of secondary education experience
* 7+ years of TK–12 charter-school experience as an Education Specialist
* Classroom instruction and curriculum development
* Academic intervention and tutoring
* Core academic support
* Student mentoring
* Leadership development
* Alternative education experience
* High-school preparation
* Student-athlete development
Athletic & Coaching Background
* Former NCAA Division I football student-athlete
* Former Chaffey College football student-athlete
* Chaffey College Hall of Fame inductee
* Former All-State and All-American collegiate football player
*All Baseline League Offense and Defense
*Wrestling Baseline League Heavyweight Champion
*Wrestling California Master’s qualifier
* 20+ years of high-school football and track coaching experience
* Former high-school head football
* Longtime varsity football coach
* Seven years as a high-school head track coach
* Extensive experience developing student-athletes for academic and athletic success
Defensive Football Development
Luis leads the development of defensive linemen and linebackers at Last Stop Athletics.
Instruction may include:
* Defensive line fundamentals
* Defensive end and interior defensive line development
* Linebacker development
* Stance and alignment
* First-step explosiveness
* Hand placement and hand fighting
* Block recognition and block destruction
* Leverage and gap responsibility
* Run fits
* Pursuit angles
* Pass-rush fundamentals
* Tackling fundamentals
* Formation recognition
* Situational football
* Defensive terminology
* Football IQ
* Leadership and competitive mindset
Areas of Focus
Core Academic Support • Spanish I & II • D1 Mindset • Leadership • Defensive Line • Linebackers • Theory of Football • Football IQ • High School Preparation • Academic Intervention • Student-Athlete Mentoring
Community & Parent Liaison ACademic Support & Assistant Softball Coach
shannon Garcia
Shannon Garcia brings together a lifelong background in competitive softball, extensive youth coaching experience, classroom support, family advocacy, community engagement, and a strong commitment to developing young people through positive reinforcement, creativity, confidence, and connection.
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SHANNON GARCIA
Community & Parent Liaison • Academic Support • Assistant Softball Coach
• Youth Development • Pitching, Fielding & Hitting • Charter & Homeschool Family Support
A former accomplished softball player, Shannon earned All-CIF Southern Section recognition and Defensive Player of the Year honors early in her athletic career.
Her passion for the sport continued well beyond high school, as she competed in women's fastpitch softball into her 30s.
At Last Stop Athletics, Shannon serves as an Assistant Softball Coach, supporting pitching, fielding, hitting, fundamentals, and overall player development.
She also works with students in the classroom, providing core subject academic support and assistance with enrichment classes.
One of Shannon's greatest strengths is her ability to keep young students and athletes engaged. She incorporates creativity, positive reinforcement, encouragement, and age-appropriate instruction so students can develop skills while also building confidence.
Education & Professional Background
* College graduate
* Degree in Human Services
* Core subject academic support
* Classroom and enrichment support
* Experience working with children with special needs
* Extensive experience working with youth and families
* Knowledge of homeschool and charter-school environments
* Familiarity with student-athlete recruiting resources
* Parent and family advocacy
* Community engagement
* Youth mentoring
* Small-business ownership and management
Softball & Coaching Background
* Former competitive softball player
* All-CIF Southern Section recognition
* Defensive Player of the Year recognition
* Competed in women's fastpitch softball into her 30s
* Extensive youth softball coaching experience
* Experience developing beginning and intermediate athletes
* Long-term involvement in competitive softball development
Softball Athlete Development
* Pitching fundamentals
* Fielding fundamentals
* Hitting and batting development
* Throwing and catching
* Defensive positioning
* Footwork
* Hand-eye coordination
* Balance and athletic movement
* Softball IQ
* Game awareness
* Confidence development
* Positive communication
* Creative and competitive drills
* Age-appropriate skill progression
Shannon is particularly effective with younger and developing athletes, creating an environment where students feel comfortable learning, making mistakes, asking questions, and building confidence.
Academic Support & Enrichment
Shannon assists students with:
* Core subject support
* Homework assistance
* Organization and task completion
* Small-group classroom activities
* Enrichment classes
* Student engagement
* Confidence building
* Individualized learning support
* Positive reinforcement
* Homeschool and charter-school student support
Her Human Services background and experience working with children with special needs reinforce her belief that students learn differently and benefit from individualized encouragement and support.
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Community & Parent Liaison
Shannon also serves as a primary point of connection between:
PARENTS • CHARTER SCHOOLS • HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES • EDUCATORS • COACHES • COMMUNITY PARTNERS
She helps families better understand:
* Last Stop Athletics programs
* Charter-school partnership services
* Homeschool enrichment
* Core academic support
* Enrichment opportunities
* High-school preparation
* Student-athlete development pathways
* Recruiting resources
* Athletic opportunities
* Parent communication
* Program coordination
* Community resources
Entrepreneur & Community Leader
Shannon is also an experienced small-business owner.
She currently owns and operates a bakery and previously owned a creative woodworking business producing handcrafted products.
Her entrepreneurial experience contributes additional strengths in creativity, organization, customer service, problem solving, communication, and relationship building.
Areas of Focus
Core Academic Support • Enrichment Classes • Youth Softball • Pitching Support • Fielding • Hitting • Athlete Engagement • Confidence Building • Positive Reinforcement • Parent Support • Charter & Homeschool Family Support • High School Preparation • Recruiting Resources • Community Outreach • Student-Athlete Advocacy